Colloquium : World Heritage Earthen Architecture

UNESCO, as part of the World Heritage Earthen Architecture Programme (WHEAP), is organizing an International Colloquium on Conservation of World Heritage Earthen Architecture.This two-day international event will gather a network of global experts in earthen architecture conservation, including site managers, researchers and specialized institutions, to share knowledge and experiences in conservation of World Heritage earthen architecture.

Presentations and discussions will focus on management and conservation of earthen architecture in cities, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes within the broader context of the main challenges facing the World Heritage earthen architecture:

Earthen Architecture in conflict and post-conflict situations,

Earthen Architecture and natural disasters,

Contemporary Earthen Architecture: In the Wake of Hassan Fathy.

The colloquium will also provide a platform for presenting the achievements that have been made in earthen architecture conservation through the WHEAP Programme (2007-2017).

This event is organized in partnership with CRAterre-ENSAG, the International Centre for Earthen architecture (School of Architecture of Grenoble, France), which has been working since 1979 towards the recognition of earth materials as a valid response to the challenges linked to the protection of the environment, the preservation of cultural diversity and the fight against poverty. It is made possible through generous financial support from the Government of Italy and a contribution from ENSAG / Labex AE&CC.

A photographic exhibition on World Heritage sites with earthen architecture will be on display at UNESCO headquarters during the colloquium. Contributions from institutions to that side event are welcome.

Presentations and contributions will be published in the Colloquium’s proceedings.

For more information on the colloquium or UNESCO’s WHEAP Programme, please contact Ms. Jana WEYDT, j.weydt@unesco.org.